Pelvic health during and after pregnancy

Pregnancy is a journey for the body and it is really important to know any signs and symptoms to look out for – for when things aren’t quite right, and how to get treatment if you are concerned. Many of these symptoms are thought of as ‘normal’ but are easily resolved if given the right support, especially early on.

Leaking urine when you cough or sneeze is very common in pregnancy but is not normal, treating this early can prevent problems developing after your baby is born and in later life.
Struggling with pain in your low back and pelvis is common for 1 in 5 pregnancies but the right support can help ease and manage this to prevent longer term pain developing or continuing postnatally.
Urgency to pass ‘poo’ and inability to control ‘wind’ is not normal but can occur after childbirth.
Pain from any stitches – following a tear, graze or episiotomy is not normal and should not affect return to a healthy sex life or sport.
Heaviness or bulging in your vagina – known as a prolapse is more common after a vaginal delivery than a caesarean section but is not normal.
‘Doming’ of your tummy when you get in/out of bed can be a sign of diastasis recti – both antenally and postnatally.

Pelvic health physiotherapy can help improve and get rid of all these symptoms, you can be referred during your pregnancy or post-natally.

If you have concerns, please talk to your Midwife and ask for a referral to the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team. If you have been discharged from your midwife, your GP can also refer you to this service.

For those experiencing bladder weakness or ‘urgency to pee’ you can self-refer yourself by completing this form Pelvic Health: Urinary bladder symptoms and sending it to: [email protected] or via the post: Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, Outpatient Physiotherapy Dept, Milton Keynes University hospital, Standing Way, Eaglestone, MK6 5LD.

Physiotherapy is provided in a variety of ways; virtual/telephone, face-to-face, as well as one-to-one sessions with our team both in person or virtually. We also provide written and virtual information to support most of our sessions.

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Last Modified: 4:08pm 27/02/2023